Railway refrigerator car construction



Sept. 14, 1937.

e. G. GILPIN RAILWAY REFRIGERATOR CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 1a, 1935 5 sheets-sheet 1 Jizvenor fart/'2 in/ Sept. 14, 1 937. LP N 2,093,118

RAILWAY REFRIGERATOR CAR CONSTRUCTION riled Sept. 18, 1953 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Lvntor Fart/h Sept. .14, 1937'. G, G, lLPIN 2,093,118

RAILWAY REFRIGERATOR CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 18, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 14, 1937. G. G. em: 1 2,093,118

RAILWAY REFRIGERATOh CAR GONS'IiRUCTION Fild Sept. 18, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 faith 17 G. G. GILPIN 2,093,118

5 Sheets-Sheet 5,

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Sept. 14, 1937.

RAILWAY REFRIGERATOR CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 18, 1933 Patented Sept. 14, 1937 PATENT ()FFICE RAILWAY REFRIGERATOR CAR CONSTRUC- TION Garth G. Gilpin, Riverside, 111., assignor to P. H.

Murphy Company, New Kensington, Pa., a corporatio'n of Pennsylvania Application September 18, 1933, Serial No. 689,824

21 Claims.

The invention relates to refrigerator cars used by railways to transport perishable commodities, such as meat, milk, fruits and vegetables, which cars have their side walls, end walls, floors and roofs insulated to prevent the entrance of warm air from the outside or the egress of cooled air from the inside. Some means of cooling the air within the car is generally used.

In a great many railway refrigerator cars now in general use the cooling systems are located at the ends of the cars and depend entirely upon the relative weight of warm and cooled air for the circulation of the air, and, thereforeffor the cooling of the lading, with the result that the middle of the car is warmer than the ends of the car, giving an unequal temperature of the lading. I overcome this dimculty by providing a longitudi nal duct adjacent the roof of the car having direct communication with lateral ducts, which communicate with the vertical fiues and by forcing a cooling medium through the longitudinal ducts and therefrom into the lines I get an equal distribution of the cooling medium and consequently an equally cooled car throughout.

An object of the invention is to so construct the car as to facilitate the movement of cooled air around the lading.

A further object of the invention is to-provide vertical flues within the side walls and end walls of thecar. so that cool air may descend through .these fiues or warm air may rise through the the car.

A further object is to provide a longitudinally extending duct connecting with the above mentioned continuous ducts and fiues. Any desired means of providing and forcing a cooling medium through these ducts and lines maybe used with my invention.

A further object of the invention is 'to so construct the side wall, and preferably also the roof of the car, so as to provide the strength required in railway service; perform the functions of protecting the lading and so as to be adapted for insulation, and at the same time, provide the flues and ducts hereinbefore mentioned.

A further object is to provide a lining or other means on the interior of the car which, besides the usual functions of such a lining, also prevents thelading within the car from projecting into the flues and decreasing the effective area thereof.'

A further object is to provide a system of piping positioned within thefiues and/or ducts and thereby. protected from the lading, which pipes are adapted to have a cooling medium circulated through them. Furthermore, the pipes positioned within the fines do not interfere with the lading.

Another object of the invention is to construct. the walls and preferably also the roof of a railway car so as to provide a blanket of cold air around the lading and to provide means so that the blanket may come in contact with the car lading and seep through it or between the packages containing the lading.

In the drawings;

Fig. 1 is avertical cross section of a railway car with my improved construction.

Fig. 2, the left half is,a section on line 22 of Fig. 1, the right half is a plan view of the roof.

Fig. 3.is a horizontal section through the wall showing a modified construction.

Fig. 4 is a section on line.l-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a car with my improved construction.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a modified construction.

The broad feature of my invention of providing fiues within the vertical walls (and preferably also ducts withinpthe'rooij) of a railway car is adaptable for use with any. means of cooling the air within the car. -Ice baskets are quite generally I used in the ends of refrigerator cars and sometimes a compressed ammonia system is used wherein a compressor is placed in another car, or at one end of the car or adjacent the roof of the car.

In the form of my invention illustrated the wall of the refrigerator car comprises an inner metallic sheet 2 having offset portions 3 formed therein projecting away from the interior of the car,

-which;j'oflset portions extend from adjacent the floor-4 of the car to adjacent the upper part of the wall so as to provide lines 5 for the'movement of air, an outer metallic sheet member 6 spaced apart from the inner member 2 and an insulation 1 between the inner (2) and outer,(6-) sheet members. The inner metallic sheet 2 and the outer sheathing 6 preferably overlaps the side sill 36 (as shown in Fig. and is attached thereto by the rivets 9. By this arrangement the rivets can be removed so as to detach the outer metallic sheathing 6 without disturbing the inner metallic sheathing 2 (or the insulation 1). The stiffening ribs 34 (shown in Fig. 3) also preferably extend continuously from side sill to side sill.

Vertical nailing strips l0 are positioned within the offset portions of the inner wall members 2 and secured .thereto by bolts l2. A series of horizontally disposed spaced apart slats I4 are secured to these nailing strips I0 which form a lining to keep the lading away from the metallic sheet 2 and also prevent the lading within the car from projecting into the flue l6 formed by the offset portions 3. The slats l4 having spaces l8 between them provide air communication between the flues i6 and the interior of the car. An ordinary tongue and groove lining may be used, if desired, and holes (not shown) bored therein opposite the offset portions to provide apertures.

If a solid lining is used the lower board is preferably spaced somewhat above the top of the floor 4 so as to provide air communication between the flue l6 and the upper surface of the floor. A netting or screen may be used instead of a lining if desired.

Vertical stiifeners 20 are preferably positioned between the members 2 and 6 and secured to the outer wall member 6 opposite the parts 22 of the inner member between the offset portions 3. I prefer to use one or more layers 2628 of ply insulation, (that is, insulating material which is placed between layers of paper and applied to the car in sheets) and by staggering the vertical posts 20 with the'ofl'set portions 3, this insulation is offset between the posts and the offset portions 3 so as to hold it in position against the shocks caused by the sudden stopping or starting of the car in service.

The outer'metallic sheet 6 may be provided with offset portions 32 (see Fig. 3) which are preferably positioned in staggered relation to the offset portions 3 in the inner member 2. Vertical stiffeners 34 are positioned within these ofiset portions 32 which are connected to the longitudinal frame members 36 (or side sills) of the car. These vertical stiffener members are preferably in alignment with (or continuous with) the carlines 31 (if any) of the roof.

The roof of the car is of similar construction and I prefer to have the lateral ducts 40 in the roof aligned with the flues It in the side wall of the car so as to form a continuous space for the circulation of air from the lower part of one side wall to the lower part of the other side wall. Nailing strips 42 may be inserted in the ducts in the roof for a ceiling 44 if desired.

The longitudinally extending duct 48 is positioned adjacent the roof of the car and preferably adjacent the middle thereof, which longitudinally extending duct 48 has air communication with each of the laterally extending ducts 40 and preferably also has means for air communication with the interior of the car. The laterally extending ducts 40 also have communication with the interior of the car.

Any means of providing and forcing cooled air or other cooling medium from or into the longitudinally extending duct may be used.

In the preferred construction'I provide a longitudinally extending pipe 50-52 adjacent the lower part of each side wall and a plurality of inverted U-shaped pipes 54 connecting said longitudinally extending pipes 56-52 which are positioned within the offset portions of the side walls (I 6) and roof sheets (40), respectively, so as not to interfere with the lading and so as to be protected by the lining. One of these longitudinally extending pipes is provided with an entrance 56 false floor 62 is not in use it will not interfere with the lading. The lower sloping parts 64 of the flues terminate adjacent this gutter 60. This gutter may be used for the longitudinally extending pipes 5052 and if so I preferably connect the This is positioned below the upper surface of the floor 4 of the car so that when the vertical riser pipes by an oblique pipe 66 so that the pipes will not interfere with the lading.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a modified construction wherein the longitudinally extending duct III is made by a. steel plate I2 formed with a channel or trough welded or otherwise secured (14) to the under side of the roof sheets 16 between the upwardly projecting panels (forming the ducts 40) in the roof sheets. Other metallic plates 18 are welded or otherwise secured to the roof sheets I6 to span the'panels in the roof sheets (forming the ducts 40) to provide enclosed lateral ducts 80. Each of these plates 16 are fastened to the longitudinally extending trough at 82. The outer ends 84 of these sheets are secured to the inner side wall sheets 2 on opposite sides of the offset portions 3 to form an air communication between the lateral ducts 80 and the vertical flues 5 in the side walls. In this modified arrangement any cooled air or other cooling medium which is forced into the longitudinal duct is distributed to the lateral ducts and thence to the several vertical flues 5 in the side walls. The ends of the longitudinal flue 10 preferably communicate with one of the vertical flues 86 of the end wall. I preferably make the longitudinal flue 10 wider (88) adjacent the source of supply of the cooling medium which, in most cases, will be adjacent the middle or end (or ends) of the car.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred form of the invention, though it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, as it is obvious that various modifications thereof, within the scope of the claims, will occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A wall for a refrigerator car comprising an inner metallic sheet member having offset portions formed therein projecting away from the interior of the car to provide flues for the movement of air, an outer member spaced apart from said inner member, a layer of ply insulation between said members, and vertical stiifeners positioned between the members and secured to the outer member opposite the parts of the inner member between the ofiset portions thereof.

2. A wall for a refrigerator car comprising an inner metallic sheet member having offset portions formed therein projecting away from the interior of the car to provide flues for the movement of air, an outer member spaced apart from said inner member having offset portions formed therein in staggered relation to the offset portions of the inner member, and a layer of ply insulation between said members.

3. A wall for a refrigerator car comprising an inner metallic sheet member having offset portions formed therein projecting away from the interior of the car to provide fiues for the movement of air, an outer member spaced apart from said inner member having offset portions formed therein in staggered relation to the oflset portions of the inner member, a layer of ply insulation between said members, and vertical reinforcing bars secured to the outer member within the ofiset portions thereof.

4. In a car having spaced apart side walls and a roof, a longitudinally extending duct adjacent the roof, a plurality of laterally extending ducts extending from the longitudinally extending duct, and a vertically extending flue extending from each laterally extending duct within the bounding planes of the side wall and having communication with the interior of the car.

5. In a car having a roof, a longitudinally extending duct within the bounding planes of the roof and having communication with the interior of the car, and a plurality of laterally extending ducts extending from the longitudinally extending duct within the bounding planes of the roof and having communication with the interior of the car.

6. In a car having spaced apart side walls and a roof, a longitudinally extending duct within the bounding planes of the roof, a plurality of laterally extending ducts extending from the longitudinally extending duct within the bounding planes of the roof, and a vertically extending flue extending from each laterally extending duct within the bounding planes of the side wall and having communication with the interior of the car.

7. In a car having spaced apart side walls and a roof, a longitudinally extending duct within the bounding planes of the roof and having communication with the interior of the car, a plurality of laterally extending ducts extending from the longitudinally extending duct within the bounding planes of the roof and having communication with the interior of the car, and a vertically extending flue extending from each laterally extending duct within the bounding planes of the side wall and having communication with the interior of the car.

8. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart wall elements and a connecting roof element, said elements comprising an inner metallic sheet member having oiiset portions therein projecting away from the interior of the car forming flues which extend continuously from adjacent the lower part of one wall to adjacent the lower part of the other wall.

9. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart wall elements and a connecting roof element, said elements comprising an inner metallic sheet member having offset portions therein projecting away from the interior of the car forming fiues which extend continuously from adjacent the lower part of one wall to adjacent the lower part of the other wall, and means to prevent the lading within the car from projecting into said fiues.

10. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart wall elements and a connecting roof element, said elements comprising an inner metallic sheet member having offset portions therein projecting away from the interior of the car forming fiues which extend continuously from adjacent the lower part of one wall to adjacent the lower part of the other wall, and an outer metallic sheet having ofiset portions formed therein in staggered relation to the offset portions of the inner member forming reinforcing ribs which extend continuously from adjacent the lower part of one wall to adjacent the lower part of the other wall.

11. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart wall elements and a connecting roof element, said elements comprising an inner metallic sheet member having ofiset portions therein projecting away from the interior of the car forming fiues which extend. continuously from adjacent the lower part of one wall to adjacent the lower part of the other wall, means to prevent the ladingwithin the car from projecting into said fiues, an outer metallic sheet member spaced apart from the inner member having offset portions formed therein-in staggered relation to the ofiset portions of the inner member forming reinforcing ribs which extend continuously from adjacent the lower part of one wall to adjacent the lower part of the other wall, and an insulation between said members;

12. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart wall elements and a connecting roof element, said elements comprising an inner metallic sheet member having offset portions therein projecting away from the interior of the car forming fiues which extend continuously from adjacent the lower part of one wall to adjacent the lower part of the other wall, a. longitudinally extending pipe adjacent the lower part of each wall, and a plurality of inverted U-shaped pipes connecting said longitudinally extending pipes which are positioned within the offset portions of the wall and roof sheets, one of said longitudinally extending pipes provided with an entrance for a cooling medium, and the other of said longitudinally extending pipes provided with an exit for the cooling medium.

13. 'A wall for a refrigerator car comprising an inner metallic sheet member having ofiset portions formed therein projecting away from the interior of the car which extend from adjacent the floor of the car to adjacent the upper part of the wall to provide fiues for the movement of air, an outer member spaced apart from said inner member, a longitudinally extending pipe adjacent the lower part of each wall, and a plurality of inverted U-shaped pipes connecting said longitudinally extending pipes, the vertical risers of said U-shaped pipe being positioned within said fiues, one of said longitudinally extending pipes provided with an entrance for a cooling medium and the other of said longitudinally extending pipes provides with an exit for the cooling medium. i

14. In a refrigerator car, an inner wall having ofiset portions therein to provide vertical fiues for the circulation of air, an outer wall having -member spaced apart from the inner member vertical posts attached thereto between certain of said offset portions, and a ply insulation between said walls, said elements associated and arranged so that the insulation is offset around said offset portions arid said posts to help hold it in place.

15. In a refrigerator car, an inner wall having ofiset portions therein to provide vertical fiues for the circulation of air, an outer wall having offset portions therein to provide vertical stiffeners between the offset portions of the innerwall, and a ply insulation between said walls, said elements associated and arrang /l so that the in-' sulation is offset around said oflfset portions to help hold it in place.

16. In a railway car having spaced apart side walls, an end wall and a roof, a longitudinally extending duct adjacent the roof, a vertically extending flue within the bounding planes of the end wall communicating with one end of the longitudinally extending duct, said longitudinally extending duct communicating with a plurality of vertically extending flues; within the bounding planes of each of the side walls, said flues having communication with the interior of the car.

17. A wall for a refrigerator car comprising an inner member having vertically extending offset portions formed therein projecting away from the interior of the car which extend from adjacent the floor of the car to adjacent the upper part of the wall to provide flues for the movement of air, an outer member spaced apart from said inner member, and insulation between said members.

18. A wall for a refrigerator car comprising an inner metallic sheet member having offset portions formed therein projecting away from the interior of the car which extend from adjacent the floor of the car to adjacent the upper part of the wall to provide flues for the movement of air, nailing strips in the-offset portions of the inner members, and lining secured to said nailing strips having openings therein opposite said ofiset portions to provide air communication be tween the flues and the interior of the car.

19. A wall for a refrigerator car comprising an inner metallic sheet member having offset por tions formed therein projecting away from the interior of the car which extend from adjacent the floor of the car to adjacent the upper part of the wall to provide flues for the movement 01' air, nailing strips in the oflset portions of the inner members, and lining secured to said nailing strips which extends to adjacent the floor of the car but is spaced from said floor to provide air communication between the flues and the upper surface of the floor.

20. A wall for a refrigerator car comprising an inner metallic sheet member having oirset portions formed therein projecting away from the interior of the car which extend from adjacent the floor of the car to adjacent the upper part of the wall to provide flues for movement of air, nailing strips in the oflset portions of the inner members, and spaced apart horizontal slats secured to said nailing strips to provide air communication between the flues and the interior of the car and to prevent the .lading within the 

